The U.S. postmaster general told an audience of area business people today that the city has the nation's most improved mail service during the past three months.
Marvin Runyon, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, said Baltimore's mail delivery, considered dismal a year ago, has improved 11 percentage points.
For every 100 pieces of mail delivered here, he said, 77 of them were delivered on time. Last year at this time, only 66 pieces of mail out of 100 were delivered on time.
"Nationwide, it looks like this will be one of the best holiday mailing seasons we have ever had," Mr. Runyon told the audience. "And here in Baltimore our employees have hit a home run, bringing you the most improved service in the country this past quarter."
Although the postmaster-general claimed Baltimore's improvements led the nation, his staff was unable to provide national statistics or statistics from other cities to compare with the local numbers.
One aide, however, said the Baltimore success rate still probably lags behind the national average, which was at 84 pieces of mail out of 100 during the last quarter.
Mr. Runyon credited improvement in service to getting "back to basics," by increasing staff and installing "Baltimore Only" boxes.
"This turnaround is even more impressive, considering the record amounts of mail you have brought us since Thanksgiving," he said.